Easy

Middle East

3 CM

20-28 °C

Lycosa praegrandis: A fascinating inhabitant of dry steppes

Lycosa praegrandis is an impressive wolf spider that is distributed from Greece through Asia Minor to the Caucasus and Iran as far as Kyrgyzstan and south-east Kazakhstan. This robust species is found in dry plains with steppe vegetation and dry, stony foothills and is characterised by its ability to dig complex burrows. These burrows, which can be up to 20 cm deep and around 25 mm in diameter, are carefully lined with spider silk to provide protection from intruders and environmental influences.

When keeping Lycosa praegrandis in a terrarium, it is important to create a habitat that is modelled on its natural environment. A terrarium for an adult spider should measure at least 30x30x30 cm to provide enough space for the spider’s natural behaviour. The terrarium should contain a mixture of sand and forest humus, supplemented by stones or roots to enable the spider to dig its characteristic burrows.

The conditions in the terrarium should be kept dry, with a slight humidity gradient to simulate natural living conditions. The Lycosa praegrandis reaches a maximum lifespan of around three years. To ensure their well-being, it is important to keep the environment in the terrarium dry. Nevertheless, you should always make sure to provide a bowl of fresh water. This ensures that the spider has access to drinking water at all times, which is essential for its health and hydration.

Temperatures should be between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius during the day, with slight drops at night, but not below 18 degrees Celsius. Adequate lighting that simulates a natural circadian rhythm supports the spider’s well-being. Their diet should correspond to their natural food intake and consist mainly of suitable insects that promote the spider’s natural hunting behaviour.

Lycosa praegrandis is not only an exciting object of study because of its interesting way of life, but also because of its adaptability and ability to survive in extreme habitats, making it an enrichment for any terrarium. Keeping them offers deep insights into the behaviour and ecology of one of the most adaptable spider species.

Essentials for Lycosa praegrandis!

Weight	110 g
Size	FH2